Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has been sharing his thoughts on the potential red card decision during Rangers’ recent 2-0 win over St. Mirren.
The incident involved St. Mirren striker Jonathan Obika who was given a yellow card by the referee after apparently elbowing Rangers defender Connor Goldson in the second half of the match.
Speaking exclusively to This Is Futbol, Halsey had this to say on the incident.
He said: “The first thing I look for is was his fist clenched, because when the fist is clenched, that is when players go bang [and throw a deliberate elbow] but he didn’t do that, his arm was flat and then the Rangers player looks like he’s coming in and he’s put his head onto his arm.
“It’s not a violent act so I would have to support the referee on this occasion where it’s a reckless use of the arm and a caution is sufficient – for me, it wasn’t violent conduct.”
Do you think Obika should have been given a red card for his clash with Goldson?
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Goals from Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos in the first half secured the three points for Steven Gerrard’s side to continue their winning run of form in the SPFL ahead of the Old Firm Derby at the weekend against Celtic who trail Rangers by 16 points (per BBC Sport).
Even with Halsey agreeing with the referee in the game against St. Mirren that Obika should not have been given a red card for his clash with Goldson, it’s hard to imagine any Rangers fans being too bothered by the decision seeing as they won the match and extended their points gap between them and Celtic.